Westover Police Chief Joe Adams has announced his retirement, effective November 4, 2023, after five years of service in the role. Adams made his announcement during a meeting of the Westover City Council on October 22, marking exactly five years since he took over the police department in 2018.
During his tenure, Adams played a significant role in transforming the department, which faced numerous challenges at the time of his appointment. Reflecting on his experience, Adams expressed gratitude for the support he received from both the city council and the mayor. “I appreciate the support the city council and the mayor have given the police department,” he stated. “It’s been a learning experience. I’ve had some interesting times here.”
Adams’ leadership has not gone unnoticed. City attorney Tim Stranko acknowledged the progress made under Adams’ guidance, stating, “He came in here and rebuilt our police department in a time when it was severely troubled.” Stranko attributed the department’s improvements to Adams’ commitment to setting high standards and fostering respect within the team. He added, “It’s because of your leadership, Joe, and God bless you for it.”
Councilor Duane Tatar echoed Stranko’s sentiments, emphasizing the enhanced values of honor and integrity within the police department. “The honor, the integrity and pride of the department and our officers is just so much better than it was,” Tatar remarked. “That’s because of your and Deputy Chief Scott Carl’s leadership.”
Before joining Westover, Adams dedicated 25 years to the West Virginia State Police and later served with the West Virginia Supreme Court. Following the council meeting, he reflected on his time as chief, acknowledging both the challenges and rewards of the position. “We had some challenging, interesting times,” he said. “As far as doing it again, I don’t necessarily know that I’d recommend it.”
Looking ahead, Adams expressed enthusiasm for spending more time with his family and taking on the role of a hockey dad. He also offered advice to the council regarding his successor, recommending that they consider Deputy Chief Scott Carl to fill the role. “You’re not stuck in the position you were in when I got here, where you didn’t have anybody,” he noted.
As Westover continues to grow, Adams highlighted the fiscal responsibility shown by past and current leadership, contributing to the positive trajectory of the city and its police department. He concluded his remarks with an optimistic outlook for Westover’s future, stating, “We’re in a good place now.”
